Study considers safer ways for farm expansion

An economics professor says he is hoping to find new ways for farmers to adapt to changing business climates.

The Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre received more than $200,000 in federal funding for the national study.

The centre's professor Ross Kingwell says traditional business expansion strategies are becoming more risky due to unproductive farm seasons.

He says the findings could help many farmers who are struggling to expand.

"To find out can we find ways by which farm businesses can expand more safely and I think there are some more options that farmers are to consider but may make expansion still profitable but less risky," he said.

He says one solution could be sharing portfolios with other regions and industries.

"Expand your business but it means that you can stay farming where you are, so it's a different model of farming, it's collaborative," he said.

"It won't work for everyone but it's a different way of thinking about how to expand the farm."